[Video Essay] Construction City

Construction city – rooftops in Mudanjiang Directed & Produced by Liu Xiaoyi Before covid, the border city Mudanjiang relied on its convenient geographical location, to vigorously develop border trade with Russia, and became an important port for China’s imports and exports to Russia. During the most prosperous period, businessmen from Russia could often be seen visiting Mudanjiang for purchasing and trading. In Suifenhe, a town under the jurisdiction of Mudanjiang, signs written in Russian words can be found everywhere, and even direct transactions in rubles are accepted here. Because of the flourishing trade and foreign exchange, Russian elements can be

Continue reading[Video Essay] Construction City

Reading Response: Carl Abbott

As described in the article, the concept of the migratory city has appeared in many science fiction novels and films. Generally speaking, these cities have spawned movable features from ordinary immovable cities, mostly due to environmental destruction, resource depletion, severe pollution and inevitable natural disasters. These fictional and cinematic settings are not just about environmental protection and the sustainable use of resources, but also include other elements such as energy, social class, and humanity. The concept of these mobile cities is not a figment of the imagination, they are also based on real cities. In The Scar, the city Armada

Continue readingReading Response: Carl Abbott

[FIELDWORK] Ghost in the Shell, Lai Tak Tsuen

GHOST IN THE SHELL, DIR. Rupert Sanders (2017)            Lai Tak Tsuen Road, Tai Hang, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong   This movie is based on the Japanese manga first released in 1989, discussing future relationship of human and robot. Mira Killian, the major, was modified to be a cyborg supersoldier, with robotic body and human brain. However, her real memories were deleted to be fully controlled by the counter-terrorism bureau. The movie tells us how she investigated her past and fight against the manipulator behind the scenes. On the way she discovered her background, she follows

Continue reading[FIELDWORK] Ghost in the Shell, Lai Tak Tsuen

Reading Response: Joseph Rosa

Joseph Rosa’s article, which was published in 2000, suggested that the modernist buildings in the movies are usually connected with some ‘illicit and unsavory behaviors’ like murder or adultery. After 20 years, modernist works are more linked with technology and conceptualization, thus are more likely to be presented in Sci-fi movies or Marvel movies, e.g., the house of Iron man. However, the trend in 2000 still has some influence in today’s movie settings. In a very popular Hollywood movie – The Invisible Man (2020), directed by Leigh Whannel, the story is happened in a very modernist house with all-glass wall,

Continue readingReading Response: Joseph Rosa